Chicago Bears LB Lance Briggs quiet on contract

Jay Taft

Tuesday

Aug 30, 2011 at 12:01 AMAug 30, 2011 at 4:58 PM

LAKE FOREST — One of the Bears star linebackers, Lance Briggs, sounded awfully unhappy with his contract status this past weekend. He wasn’t ready to discuss it any further Monday after practice, however.

LAKE FOREST — One of the Bears star linebackers, Lance Briggs, sounded awfully unhappy with his contract status this past weekend. He wasn’t ready to discuss it any further Monday after practice, however.

Briggs, who hasn’t practiced for more than a week with a knee bruise, scurried past reporters with a smile on his face two days after he confirmed he asked the Bears for a raise.

Briggs told the Chicago Tribune “I love it here,” and “I’m not asking for a trade” Sunday, but stuck to his guns about wanting more money. He signed a six-year, $36 million contract in 2008, and received a $4 million signing bonus and $9 million in roster bonuses. He’s made just over $30 million in his eight seasons in Chicago.

But his salary ($3.65 million) for this season is considerably lower than that of the other Pro Bowl linebackers. Briggs has been named to six straight honors.

TE Clark’s status unclear

Tight end Desmond Clark tweeted Sunday: “Took quite a shot out there but feeling confident I’ll be OK and back on the field soon.”

He was upended on a third-quarter reception and was carted off the field.

Bears head coach Lovie Smith called it a “bruised knee” after practice Monday, which is an injury that does not usually take as long to heal. His status for Thursday, and for the Sept. 11 season opener wasn’t yet determined. “We haven’t decided who’s going to play on Thursday,” Smith said.

Others sit out

Briggs and Clark were joined by Marion Barber (calf), Sam Hurd (leg), Anthony Adams (calf) and Kellen Davis (back) on the sidelines during Monday’s practice. Though most or all will not play Thursday, none of their injuries are considered serious enough to keep them out of the season opener.

Bell expects bigger load

Kahlil Bell, who has 131 rushing yards in the preseason, is ready to carry the load in the final preseason game of the year for the Bears on Thursday night, whether Chester Taylor is still a Bear or not.

The third-year running back out of UCLA talked like he thought Taylor was released Monday, which would dramatically increase his role, at least in the final preseason game. Smith later said Taylor is still a Bear, but Bell will most likely be the workhorse Thursday anyway.

“I feel like I’ve done the things necessary to prepare myself to be successful when I get an opportunity,” Bell said. “So I’m here, and I’m still loving it, and when I get a shot, hopefully I can produce.”

Reach staff reporter Jay Taft at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.

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